Here are your top Newcastle United headlines for March 7.
SJP mastermind
You would not recognise Russell Jones if he walked past you outside St James' Park. Yet you suspect that is just the way the unassuming 78-year-old likes it.
Jones may prefer to keep a 'very low profile', in his own words, but the former executive director's stamp is all over the cathedral on the hill. It was Jones who helped design and deliver the stadium that we know today for Newcastle United. In fact, few figures have a more intimate knowledge of the site - and whether increasing the capacity at St James' really is feasible in the long run.
"There are means of doing it," he told ChronicleLive. "There's a saying in life: where there's a will, there's a way. Basically, that's what you have got to adopt. I wish them well in doing so."
You can read the full story here.
Given on FFP
Newcastle United legend Shay Given has questioned the current purpose of Financial Fair Play while Gary Neville believes the Magpies should be allowed to spend the sums required to compete with the 'top clubs'. The financial regulations have become a frequent point of contention on Tyneside in recent months, with Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth both stressing the club can not sustain their current levels of investment.
Given was eventually tempted away from St James' Park after more than a decade in January 2009 by Manchester City following their takeover. The future Premier League champions were not restricted by FFP, and were able to invest the sums required to eventually establish themselves as the dominant force of English football.
Given was asked about this experience and the nature of City's owners as part of a discussion on the prospective Manchester United takeover, with Qatari investment at Old Trafford a possibility. The former goalkeeper insisted the squad's focus was always on the pitch, before going on to admit his confusion over the current role of FFP.
You can read the full story here.
Joelinton 'disappointment'
It will be almost a month on the sidelines for Newcastle United star for Joelinton after he picked up a two-game suspension during the defeat to Manchester City. The Brazilian picked up his 10th yellow card of the season at the Etihad Stadium meaning he will now miss important clashes with Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Joelinton's yellow card arguably could not have come at a worse time for the Magpies as Eddie Howe tries to get his side back on track. The upcoming Premier League fixtures are must-win for Newcastle as they seek to keep their European push on course.
However, after Joelinton sits out the upcoming top flight clashes, he will then have to sit through an international break and won't return until the April 2 showdown with Manchester United.
You can read the full story here.
Pep's Bruno praise
Bruno Guimaraes has revealed that Pep Guardiola told him he was a 'good player' after the Man City boss gate-crashed the Newcastle United star's interview.
Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the Brazil international and the City manager did not disguise that fact in his post-match press conference after his side defeated Newcastle 2-0 at the Etihad on Saturday. Guardiola, unprompted, said that Bruno was an 'exceptional holding midfielder' and a 'top-class player'.
The praise did not stop there. When Bruno was speaking to ESPN Brazil after the game, Guardiola dropped by to shake his hand and personally tell the Newcastle midfielder he was 'bueno', which translates into English as a 'good'.
Guardiola's praise is a reminder of just what a talent Newcastle have on their hands - not that anyone needed reminding - after the Magpies stole a march on Europe's elite clubs by signing the 25-year-old from Lyon little more than a year ago.
You can read the full story here.
Howe won't 'shy away'
Eddie Howe has vowed that he won't 'shy away' from making changes after the Newcastle United head coach was left with 'decisions to make' for the huge game against Wolves on Sunday.
Newcastle have won just one of their last eight Premier League fixtures ahead of the visit of Julen Lopetegui's resurgent side to St James' Park on Sunday. Newcastle have not been playing badly - far from it - but Howe's team have been punished in both boxes in recent weeks.
Newcastle have conceded some soft goals - failing to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League since January - and the Magpies have also been wasteful in front of goal. Newcastle have been creating chances but, remarkably, Howe's side have only scored three goals from their last 102 shots in the top-flight.
Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Man City was another frustrating afternoon in the final third for the visitors after Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson and Joelinton all failed to even make Ederson work from dangerous positions. Newcastle's forwards have now scored just four league goals since the restart and Howe could decide to freshen up his starting line-up at the weekend after Joe Willock, Allan Saint-Maximin and the impressive Alexander Isak all came off the bench at the Etihad.
You can read the full story here.
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Jamie Carragher explains why Newcastle shouldn’t be written off in the race for the top four
Jamal Lewis handed unlikely opportunity to reignite Newcastle career with Northern-Ireland call-up
Bruno Guimaraes backs Eddie Howe for England job despite Newcastle boss' commitment to Magpies
Julen Lopetegui urges Wolves ‘mentality’ to continue while praising Newcastle United
Jamie Carragher fires Brighton warning to Newcastle and top four hopefuls
